Welcome to Mines and casa!
The Center for Academic Services & Advising (CASA) serves as your advising and academic support center as you transition to and progress through Mines.
This page contains information to help ensure a successful transfer to Mines. Whether you’re transferring to Mines from a community college, four-year university, from Denver or out of state, you’re an Oredigger, and Orediggers Climb Together.
Welcome
We are excited and honored that you have selected Mines as your new university. Our office, CASA, serves to assist you throughout your academic journey at Mines. Below, you’ll find the steps outlining how CASA will partner with you to ensure a successful launch into your first courses.
Transfer Student Information
Read through the steps below for information about each part of the transfer process.
Step 1- Review evaluated transfer credit
Evaluated transfer credit may be seen in Trailhead on your unofficial transcript once you have submitted final transcripts and your intent to enroll at Mines (known as your IE). Transfer credit is applied to your academic program on a course-by-course basis and will be grouped by transfer institution in your unofficial transcript.
You can see how your transfer credit has been applied to your academic program through Degree Works, Mines’ degree evaluation system. Transfer credit will be marked with a T and will have a green checkmark if the course met a specific Mines requirement. Note that Degree Works is updated over the summer to match the latest academic catalog and changes are possible until August.
Sometimes a course does not meet a specific requirement and will transfer to Mines as a course that ends in XX, such as FREE1xx (which stands for a free elective). Two other common examples include HASS2xx (Humanities & Social Science elective, which can fulfill a Culture & Society mid-level elective requirement) and LIFL1xx (Foreign Language, which also counts for a Culture & Society mid-level elective). Courses will count for degree requirements up through the actual credit requirement total. For example, if your degree program requires 9 free elective credits and you have transferred in 15 free elective credits, then you will see 9 credits applied to the free elective requirement and 6 credits will appear in the unused credits portion of your degree evaluation.
If you see a course/credit that is reflected as FREE elective and you would like to have the course reviewed for transferability toward a more specific degree requirement, please refer to information provided by the Registrar’s office. Please note that the process of having coursework reviewed may take time; it is highly recommended to submit information as soon as possible.
Step 2- Mines Academic programs
Mines offers many degrees as well as minors, areas of special interests (ASIs), double degrees, and combined Bachelors-graduate degree programs. Your major should currently be listed as the major you requested on your admissions application. As a Mines student, you have the ability to change your major to any other major on campus; we do not have caps or secondary admissions processes for majors.
To learn about the academic programs offered at Mines, visit the following:
The Catalog contains all the course requirements for your academic program. Many departments use flow charts and other advising tools, yet the Catalog is the most detailed and official record of what you need to complete in order to graduate from Mines so we encourage you to start there to best understand your requirements.
Step 3- Advising
Mines offers dedicated advising and academic support to help transfer students navigate their transition to campus and succeed through graduation. Every student is assigned to a professional staff advisor in CASA by their major and last name. Your CASA advisor will provide guidance throughout your time at Mines.
To ensure you have access to comprehensive support, CASA provides multiple advising opportunities including group advising sessions and webinars, one-on-one scheduled appointments, and quick drop-in advising. New transfer students starting in summer or fall will start working with their CASA advisors mid-June and will receive detailed information throughout June on how to connect. Students starting in January will start working with their CASA advisors in December.
At the end of your first semester at Mines, you will be additionally assigned to a faculty mentor in your major. You’ll work with both your CASA advisor and faculty mentor through graduation.
STEP 4- Registration
All new transfer students will register themselves for their first fall or spring semester of coursework. Students planning to start Mines with summer classes will work with the Admissions Office and will be registered by Registrar’s office into summer coursework. Be sure to submit all final transcripts as soon as possible to expedite transfer credit being reflected in your official Mines record.
To help prepare you for self-registration, advising programming will begin prior to your first semester at Mines with online content including a webinar and Canvas site with helpful tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions. Canvas, Mines’ learning management system, will be a vital tool throughout your academic journey. You’ll use Canvas to access course materials, submit assignments, monitor your progress in courses, and connect with instructors and peers.
When registration opens, CASA will offer virtual drop-in advising sessions. These quick consultations are designed to address time-sensitive registration questions. In the weeks following, you’ll have the option to schedule a one-on-one meeting with your assigned advisor to discuss additional questions or concerns if needed. CASA will hold additional in-person drop-in sessions the first week of class for any last-minute schedule adjustments.
After you have made your initial schedule, you will be able to make adjustments, if needed until the final add/drop deadline for the semester. Keep in mind that classes may be very near capacity and changing to a more preferred schedule may not be possible.
See the frequently asked questions below for additional course registration information.
CSM201- Transfer Student Success Seminar
CSM201 is a class specifically designed to support transfer students in their transition to Mines. This 1 credit class is a free elective and meets once each week for 50 minutes.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO to be ready to Register FOR MY FIRST SEMESTER?
Please take the time to complete the steps outlined above to review your evaluated transfer credit and to begin to explore your degree requirements in Degree Works and the academic catalog. If you notice missing transfer credits, make sure you have sent the official transcript showing the final grade to Mines.
Are you currently enrolled in coursework that will not be complete before registration opens? If so, and you believe that the course may be a prerequisite for a class you intend to enroll at Mines, you should contact transfer@mines.edu to request a temporary prerequisite override. Final transcripts must still be sent as soon as the final grade is posted.
Please also make sure that you are monitoring your email for information from Mines with important registration information and opportunities to connect for advisement. Mines will eventually transition to contacting you only via your official Mines.Edu email address, so make sure you are checking it regularly.
Why isn't Mines creating MY FIRST SEMESTER SCHEDULE?
Starting with fall 2025 admits, new transfer students will register themselves for their first semester (excluding summers). We believe transfer students are well positioned to self-register due to their prior experience with course selection, registration, and academic planning. Self-registration will allow transfer students to best integrate their past coursework with their new degree requirements.
Self-registration in the first semester is specific to new transfer students. Transfer students are a population defined by the Admissions Office based on credit earned post high school completion. New first-year students will continue to be registered into their first semester schedule by the Registrar’s office and should see CASA’s first-year registration page for more details.
When is the last day to change my schedule?
The last add/drop deadline occurs during the week after the first week of classes. We recommend adding a class as early as possible so you’re not missing out on coursework.
If you no longer wish to complete a class after the last add/drop deadline, you can withdraw. You will receive a W on your transcript when you withdraw from a class and will not a receive a refund for any tuition paid. W’s do not impact GPA.
Make sure you are aware of last add/drop and withdrawal deadlines each semester by visiting the Academic Calendar for specific dates.
WHAT IF A CLASS THAT I WANT TO ENROLL IS FULL?
CASA will give new transfer students access to online registration information prior to enrollment will have detailed information on adding waitlists, submitting a registration action form to request a closed section, and other strategies. During the week the registration opens (and after), CASA advisors will be available to help troubleshoot options with students and make suggestions as needed.
What if I want to test out of a class?
A few classes at Mines offer the opportunity to receive credit by exam. The process is called a Challenge Exam and is by invitation only for some of the exams. Important information about the Challenge Exams and eligibility can be found by visiting the Challenge Exam website on the Registrar’s Office website.
What are MATH Honors classes and how do I take them?
The Math Department offers honors versions of some MATH classes. Students with AP Calc credit may receive an invitation with additional information.
The honors versions cover the same core content as the non-honors classes, but instructors have considerable opportunity to enrich the class through additional applications, the use of technology, and different modes of instruction. The honors classes are an excellent option for students who are curious about mathematical ideas, and who are intrinsically motivated to learn the “how and why” of mathematics.
What if I want to change my major?
If you have submitted your intent to enroll, please fill out the change of major form. If you have not yet submitted your intent to enroll, please contact your admissions counselor for assistance. Be sure to work with the CASA advisor for your new major if you have any questions about course requirements and degree progression.
Should I consider retaking a class at Mines even if I have been granted the credit?
Our AP/IB and transfer credit guidelines are decided by Mines faculty and our standpoint is that students should generally accept the credit and move forward into the next course. We often see students who choose to retake courses for which they had earned credit regret the decision because they already knew the information. This can potentially lead to feeling unmotivated or bored and ultimately not doing so well in the class. Earning a score high enough to receive credit for a course is an achievement; accept it as long as you feel comfortable with the material and are ready for a new challenge.
That said, this is your decision to make. If you are not confident in the material you learned and believe retaking a course at Mines is in your best interest, you can decline your credit by communicating your decision to the Registrar’s Office. Note that this decision is final and cannot be retracted once made. If you are feeling uncertain, we strongly encourage you to reach out to the Department that teaches the course to discuss curriculum specifics and assess if your knowledge base is a good match.
How many credits are in a typical schedule?
Full-time enrollment for undergraduate students starts at 12 credits. Students opt to take varying loads each term usually ranging from 12-18 credits. The Catalog provides sample four-year course plans with the recommended credits listed for each semester, but these plans do not take into account unique student variables.
Ultimately, you are in control of how many credits you take each semester. To start, we encourage you to make a semester-by-semester course plan customized for yourself based on your graduation goals and the information available in your Degree Works degree evaluation and the academic catalog. You should then meet with your CASA advisor to review your plan and discuss appropriate credit load.
what if I end up changing my major? Will my classes still count?
It depends on the courses that you enroll. Some courses, especially those in the core curriculum, will work across multiple majors while other courses may be more major-specific. If you are considering multiple different majors, please let your CASA advisor know so they can help you with course selection and understanding how your credits will apply across all your majors of interest.
Can i make it across campus if I only have 10 minutes between classes?
Many students have back to back classes. Whether you have 10 or 15 minutes in between classes, you’ll most likely be able to make it across campus in time for your next class. Some classrooms are on the outer edge of campus, yet the majority of our classrooms are within the middle academic portion of campus. Classrooms are published in the schedule, so you can always give it a test run! Note that classroom is subject to change until the start of class, so make sure to double check your classroom locations on your first day of class.
I want to double major/minor/do a 4+1 program!
That’s great! We’re here to help you explore all of your academic possibilities!
A minor requires 18 to 21 additional credits to your degree program, 9 of which you can overlap with your major, if applicable. Please visit the academic catalog for additional information on minor requirements and curriculum. A minor does not need to be declared immediately; you will have some time to explore.
A double major requires at least 30 unique credits beyond the first major and can often be many more credits depending on the combination of majors. The courses are decided with a department representative of the second major. Some major combinations are not allowed. Students who double major will work closely with the CASA advisor(s) assigned to both majors.
The combined degree program (aka 4+1 program) allows students to begin graduate coursework while still enrolled in their undergraduate degree. Depending on the program, up to 6 credits may be double counted between the undergraduate and graduate degree, allowing students to expedite their graduate degree progress. A separate admissions application is required. More information on combined degrees can be found on the admissions website and in the academic catalog.
How do I submit my AP/IB/Dual enrollment transfer credit?
You’ll need to send in your official scores or transcripts from College Board/IB and/or the institution affiliated with your dual enrollment credit. Send them to Admissions for processing and evaluation.
Please note – your high school transcript may contain this information, yet it is not considered official. We will need your official scores/transcripts from the original source.
How do I defer my first semester enrollment?
Please contact the Admissions Office to discuss deferring your enrollment to another semester.
Does Mines offer pass/no pass options?
Every class at Mines is graded on an A-F scale. Mines does not offer pass/fail or pass/no pass.
Mines does provide Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading at midterm for core courses, yet these are not included on transcripts.
what is the core curriculum?
The Core Curriculum consists of a common set of classes all Mines students take regardless of major. Visit the academic catalog for more detail on the purpose and value of the core curriculum as well as a listing of specific requirements.